Maruli Simanjuntak Become Commander Of Kostrad? This Is The Diplomatic Answer Of TNI General Andika Perkasa

After being left behind by Dudung Abdurachman who became KSAD, the position of the Kostrad Commander is still vacant (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Lukas)

JAKARTA - TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa said the person who would fill the position as Commander of Kostrad (Pangkostrad) would be determined by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). He admitted that he did not have his own choice and ensured that he would submit a list of names of all candidates who met the criteria to sit in that position.

This was conveyed by Andika Perkasa in response to the change of the Kostrad Commander after being left by General Dudung Abdurachman who has now become the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD).

"(I, ed) have never (had my own choice, ed). Anyway, my job is only to prepare the data, I ask for instructions on choosing according to the eligible ones," Andika told reporters quoted on Thursday, November 18.

He said there were several names that had been taken into account. However, Andika did not specify who they were.

Meanwhile, when alluded to Major General Maruli Simanjuntak's chance to occupy the position, Andika chose to speak less. For information, Maruli Simanjuntak has recently been widely rumored to be the Commander of Kostrad. Andika and Maruli also have one thing in common, being the Commander of the Paspampres under Jokowi.

Maruli is the son-in-law of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. He currently serves as Commander of Kodam IX/Udayana and has previously served as Commander of Paspampres.

"That will be decided by him (President Jokowi, ed). Our job is only to prepare the data and then report it to the president," said Andika.

"I will report to the President because this is related to Wanjakti (Council of High Ranks and Positions), because this is the mechanism through Wanjakti," he concluded.